IndexSummaryIntroductionLiterature summaryConclusionReferencesSummaryIt took a long time for people to understand what the different forms of stalking are and much more to evaluate and understand their effects. Its impact, especially on young minds, has long-term effects. Laws and punishments have succeeded in reducing it to some extent, but in most cases they have failed to act as a deterrent. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The Internet has brought exciting benefits by providing oceans of knowledge to its users and various opportunities to share information and connect across borders. However, every coin has two sides. The technology that helped change the world inadvertently offered myriad tools to criminals who could now easily carry out their dark deeds behind computer screens. The unfortunate part is that the victims, in the case of cyberstalking, unknowingly facilitate and aid the stalker by posting their personal information online. A victim of cyberstalking can report it to the competent authorities, but the solution lies in prevention and raising awareness. It is people themselves who need to be careful about their Internet activities. Introduction Cyber ​​law in general refers to a law that regulates how people use the Internet. It applies to people who use the Internet, the World Wide Web, and related technologies. It can be mainly divided into civil and criminal. It includes all the different ways that people communicate digitally using computers, cell phones, tablets, etc. via email, social media, websites, blogs, personal or private forums, etc. As defined by the Merriam-Webster website, cybercrime refers to any criminal activity (such as fraud, theft, or distribution of child pornography) committed using a computer primarily to illegally access, transmit, or manipulate data. Cybercrime is a crime that can be committed against people using computers, the Internet or mobile technology with the intention of causing harm directly or indirectly. There are three main categories that cybercrime falls into: individual, property, and government. Ownership: The hacker steals a person's banking details to access funds, make online purchases, or run phishing scams to trick people into giving up their information. Individual: This category of cybercrime involves an individual distributing harmful or illegal information online. This can include cyberstalking, cyberbullying, distribution of pornography and human trafficking. Government: This is the least common cybercrime, but it is the most serious crime. Government cybercrime, also known as cyberterrorism, includes hacking of government websites, military websites, or distributing propaganda. Cyberstalking, also known as Internet stalking, e-stalking or online stalking, is a criminal practice in which an individual uses the Internet to systematically harass or harass or threaten someone. This crime can be perpetrated through email, social media, chat rooms, instant messaging clients and any other online medium. Cyberstalking can also occur in conjunction with the more traditional form of stalking, in which the perpetrator harasses the victim offline. Stalking, as defined on oxforddictionaries.com, means to harass or pursue (someone) with unwanted, obsessive attention. Although legal definitions of stalking vary from one jurisdiction to another,a good working definition of stalking is conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear. Stalking is a serious, often violent practice and can worsen over time. Literature Review Cybercrime is a rapidly growing area of ​​crime. More and more criminals are taking advantage of the speed, convenience and anonymity of the Internet to commit a wide range of criminal activities that know no borders, whether physical or virtual, causing great harm and posing real threats to victims around the world. The company took note of the stalking but somehow failed to identify internet stalking and its ramifications. According to research conducted by Matthew J. Breiding et al (2011) cited on the website www.victimsofcrime.org, 7.5 million people are victims of stalking in a year in the United States, of which over 85% of victims stalking are being stalked by someone they know. Research has also found that people between the ages of 18 and 24 experience the highest rate of stalking. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) released a report in March 2019 based on a survey that revealed that 70% of women, or an estimated 16 million women, have experienced some form of sexual harassment, stalking, intimate partner violence, or non-intimate violence since the age of 15, and 45% of women, or approximately 10.2 million women have experienced sexual harassment, including Internet harassment. The scenario in India is not much different. In 2013, Justice JS Verma had said, "Offenses like stalking, voyeurism and teasing are perceived as petty crimes, but if left unchecked, lead to a growing culture towards serious crimes like rape." Section 354D of the Indian Penal Code defines the act of stalking as: Any man who: follows a woman and contacts or attempts to do so. repeatedly contacting such a woman to facilitate personal interaction despite a clear indication of disinterest on the part of such woman; or monitors a woman's use of the Internet, email or any other form of electronic communication, commits the crime of stalking. According to a survey conducted by global cybersecurity firm Norton by Symantec in 2017, as reported by The Indian Express, online harassment is on the rise in India. The report highlights that eight out of ten people surveyed have experienced some form of cyberstalking, online harassment and cyberbullying. Research also shows that more serious forms of online harassment, including threats of physical violence (45%), cyberbullying (44%) and cyberstalking (45%) are very high. The study found that over 40% of cyberbullying cases and almost half of all cyberstalking cases had a stranger as the perpetrator and that one in four women found their experience frightening. As reported by The Times of India in 2018, several women and minor girls are victims of cyberstalking, as the Hyderabad police receives nearly 50 complaints every month. The same news outlet also stated that only 20% of the victims prefer to file an FIR against the accused. According to the annual report released by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), over 53,000 cases of cybersecurity incidents were reported in India in 2017 (the 2011 annual report shows over 13,000 cases). Alexis A. Moore, a well-known author who has authored numerous books on cyberstalking and who is an established advocate of the practice in California, believes that the ease with which someone can perpetuate a cyberstalking crime has made us potential victims Everything. In his article dated August 27, 2018 on the website www.thinkedco.com, he stated that individuals have beenvictims of cyberstalking for the most insignificant reasons by people they have angered in the past. The ease of causing trouble for someone through technology, without having them leave the house, makes cyberstalkers out of people who would normally get angry in silence. We have all become so complacent about our information and how it is stored and managed; we have no idea how easy it is to access essential personal data that could unlock safeguards for our finances, our personal and economic security, and our lives. According to a survey conducted in 2015 by Emma Short et al, National Center for Cyberstalking According to research from the University of Bedfordshire, UK, 32.7% of respondents who reported harassment had symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder according to the PCL-C (Weathers et al., 1994). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by a terrifying event, whether experienced or witnessed. These symptoms cause significant problems in social, work, and relationship situations. They can also interfere with your ability to carry out normal daily activities. PTSD symptoms are generally grouped into four types: Keep in mind: This is just one example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a custom essay Intrusive memories, such as severe emotional distress or physical reactions to something that reminds you of the traumatic event. Avoidance, such as avoiding places, activities, or people that remind you of the traumatic event. Negative changes in thinking and mood, such as negative thoughts about yourself, other people, or the world. Changes in physical and emotional reactions, for example self-destructive behaviors, such as drinking too much or driving too fast. Conclusion Cyberstalking is such a new phenomenon to the general public that most are not aware of it, even if it has happened to them, but it is on the rise. However, cyberstalking can be as scary and real as being followed and watched in your home or neighborhood. Even the innocent act of posting personal photos online or announcing your whereabouts on social media can provide fodder for offenders. While there are laws in place and security software available, it is the people who need to be cautious and aware of their online activities. References IT law: everything you need to know. (n.d.). Retrieved February 24, 2019, from https://www.upcounsel.com/cyber-lawCybercrime. (n.d.). Retrieved February 24, 2019, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cybercrimeCybercrime. (n.d.). Retrieved February 28, 2019, from https://www.interpol.int/Crime-areas/Cybercrime/CybercrimeDennis, MA (February 20, 2019). Cybercrime. Retrieved February 24, 2019, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/cybercrimeGarcia, M. (February 10, 2016). Are you persecuted? Here's how to file a complaint without going to the police station. Retrieved March 6, 2019, from https://www.thebetterindia.com/45671/stalking-india-women-complaint-online/IANS. (2017, October 4). Online harassment is increasing in India, with Mumbai leading the way. Retrieved March 7, 2019, from https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/online-harassment-on-the-rise-in-india-mumbai-leads-4873955/Katrina Baum et al. , (2009). “Stalking Victimization in the United States” (Washington, DC:BJS, 2009). Retrieved March 4, 2019, from http://victimsofcrime.org/our-programs/stalking-resource-center/stalking-informationKumar, A. (2017, December 21). “Stalking is a precursor to serious crime and does not qualify for bail.” Retrieved March 9, 2019, from https://indianexpress.com/article/india/stalking-indian-laws-bailable-offence-crimes-4992783/Mallick, A. (2018, August 18).